Corrine, Corrina facts for kids

"Corrine, Corrina" (sometimes spelled "Corrina, Corrina") is a classic country blues song. It follows a special musical pattern called "12-bar blues." This means the music has a repeating structure of 12 measures. The song was first recorded by Bo Carter in December 1928. However, it wasn't officially protected by copyright until 1932. Bo Carter, whose real name was Armenter Chatmon, copyrighted it with his publishers Mitchell Parish and J. Mayo Williams.

The song is well-known for its opening lines:

Corrine, Corrina, where you been so long?
Corrine, Corrina, where you been so long?
I ain't had no lovin', since you've been gone

In 1930, a group called the Mississippi Sheiks recorded the song. They called it "Sweet Alberta" and changed the words "Corrine, Corrina" to "Sweet Alberta." Over the years, "Corrine, Corrina" has been recorded in many different music styles. These include blues, jazz, rock and roll, Cajun, and Western swing. The song's title often changes slightly, but "Corrina, Corrina" is the most common spelling today.

The Story Behind "Corrine, Corrina"

The song "Corrine, Corrina" might have very old roots. This means it could have been passed down through generations before it was written down. However, earlier songs with similar names often had different music and lyrics.

Early Songs with Similar Themes

One of the first songs like it was "Has Anybody Seen My Corrine?" This song was published as sheet music in 1918 by Roger A. Graham. Sheet music is like a blueprint for a song, showing the notes and words.

Vernon Dalhart recorded a singing version of Graham's song in 1918. Wilbur Sweatman's Original Jazz Band recorded an instrumental version (music without singing) that same year. Graham's song shared similar feelings with "Corrine, Corrina":

Has anybody seen my Corrine?
No matter where Corrina may be
Tell my Corrina to come right back to me
I want some lovin' sweetie dear

Another blues musician, Blind Lemon Jefferson, recorded a song called "Corrina Blues" in 1926. It had a verse that sounded a lot like "Corrine, Corrina":

If you see Corrina, tell her to hurry home
I ain't had no true love since Corrina been gone (3×)

The Mississippi Sheiks also recorded a song called "Sweet Maggie" in the 1930s. It had a similar theme of missing someone:

Sweet Maggie sweet Maggie where you bin so long
Tell me sweet Maggie where you bin so long
There hasn't bin no lovin since you bin gone

Different Versions of the Song

Many artists from different music styles have recorded "Corrine, Corrina." This shows how popular and adaptable the song is.

Blues Recordings

Some of the first blues singers to record the song were Blind Lemon Jefferson (1926) and Bo Carter (1928). Others included Charlie McCoy (1928) and Tampa Red (1929). Later blues artists like Mississippi John Hurt (1966) and Mance Lipscomb (1968) also recorded it. They recorded it for the "folk music revival," which was a time when old folk and blues songs became popular again.

Jazz Recordings

Jazz musicians also put their spin on the song. These included Wilbur Sweatman and Red Nichols (1930). Cab Calloway (1931) and Art Tatum (1941) also recorded their own jazz versions.

Early Country Recordings

The song also became popular in country music. Clayton McMichen (1929) and Cajun musician Leo Soileau (1935) made early country recordings.

Western Swing Recordings

In 1934, Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies recorded the song. They called it "Where Have You Been So Long, Corrinne." They played it as a Western swing dance song. Western swing is a mix of country, jazz, and blues, often played for dancing.

Soon after, Bob Wills made his own version called "Corrine, Corrina." He also played it in the Western swing style. After his band, the Texas Playboys, recorded it in 1940, the song became a regular part of all Western swing bands' performances. This helped it spread to Cajun bands and other country artists.

"Corrine, Corrina" is also important because it was one of the first songs to feature an electric guitar. In 1935, Roy Newman and His Boys recorded the song. Their guitarist, Jim Boyd, played an electric guitar. This was one of the very first times an electrically amplified guitar was heard on a recording!

Folk Music Revival Recordings

During the American folk music revival of the 1960s, "Corrina, Corrina" became popular again. Bob Dylan started playing a version he called "Corrina, Corrina." His version used some of the original blues lyrics and song structure. However, the tune was taken from another song called "Stones in My Passway" by Robert Johnson. Dylan's version also borrowed some lyrics from Johnson's song:

I got a bird that whistles, I got a bird that sings (2×)

Many other artists also recorded the song during this time. These included Taj Mahal and Joni Mitchell. Eric Clapton recorded it as "Alberta, Alberta."

Rock Recordings

The song also made its way into rock music. Big Joe Turner recorded a version in 1956. Ray Peterson's 1960 version became a big hit, reaching number nine on the Billboard chart. Jerry Lee Lewis and Bill Haley & His Comets also recorded rock and roll versions. Later, bands like Steppenwolf and Phish performed the song.

Modern Country Recordings

Even today, country artists continue to record "Corrine, Corrina." Dean Martin, a famous singer, included it on one of his country albums. Asleep at the Wheel recorded it in 1993 with Brooks & Dunn. Their version even appeared on the Billboard country music charts. Bill Monroe also made a bluegrass version in 1977.

See also

In Spanish: Corrine, Corrina para niños